Closing out 2025 with internationally recognized Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry feels like a fitting end to the year. His appearance on NileFM marked a special edition of the show and came at a milestone moment in his career. El-Masry has enjoyed a standout year on the global cinema scene, with recent work showcased at major festivals including Venice Critics&rsquo; Week, the BFI London Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights. His growing international presence was underscored by winning the 'Golden Tanit' for Best Feature Film at the Carthage Film Festival.
His momentum continues as the countdown begins for the release of "Giant," arriving in cinemas on 15 January 2026. The film is inspired by the true story of British-Yemeni boxing legend Prince Naseem &ldquo;Naz&rdquo; Hamed and charts his meteoric rise from the streets of Sheffield to world-championship victory under the mentorship of his eccentric Irish trainer, Brendan Ingle.
El-Masry joined NileFM&rsquo;s Big Breakfast host Nadine to discuss his journey, reflect on what 2025 represented for him and share what awaits in 2026, including several new screen projects.
A BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and British Independent Film Award nominee, El-Masry is known for acclaimed performances in "Limbo" and "The Crown." He continues to build a diverse body of work, with upcoming roles in "100 Nights of Hero," "Stories" and, of course, the highly anticipated "Giant."&nbsp;
Your filmography spans refugee dramas like Limbo, historical characters like in &ldquo;The Crown,&rdquo; and real-life athletes like in &ldquo;Giant.&rdquo; How do you decide if a script is worth pursuing?
It comes down to a few things. Firstly, if it&rsquo;s something I haven&rsquo;t done before and want to challenge myself, something that scares me. But also something I find genuinely interesting. I try to tell stories that can make a change, however small. With &ldquo;Limbo,&rdquo; I hoped it would spark discussions about the refugee crisis. With &ldquo;Giant,&rdquo; playing one of my heroes was motivating, but also highlighting someone who represents the North African, Arab, and Asian communities was important. Positive representation on screen is always a goal for me.
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You grew up between Cairo and London. Do you feel your artistic choices shift depending on which culture you&rsquo;re drawing from?
When I&rsquo;m in Egypt, working here feels like being with family. Everyone goes beyond their job description, and there&rsquo;s no discrimination. Especially during Ramadan, the vibe is wholesome. But ultimately, I go for the story, the team, the director, or actors attached. If it feels right, I&rsquo;m in.
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What role initially scared you the most, and why did you take it?
One was &ldquo;Held for Ransom,&rdquo; a Danish film in 2017. I played Muhammad Wazi, a real-life person labeled a terrorist. At first, I hesitated because of the potential stigma. But knowing the system failed him and having studied criminology, I understood his story. People who knew him encouraged me to do it. The film aimed to show the psyche behind his choices, and when we screened it in Cairo, audiences understood the context.
How do you prepare for auditions? Any rituals or advice you follow?
I always answer honestly, even simple questions. Sharing small personal stories breaks the ice and normalizes the situation, reducing nerves. It&rsquo;s about being genuine.
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Strangest or most impactful advice you&rsquo;ve received from another actor?
Pierce Brosnan once told me, after I dislocated my finger during Giant: &ldquo;Health is wealth. Think about yourself first. Once the film is done, nobody will look after you.&rdquo; It reminded me to prioritize my health, even when immersed in work.
Do rumors ever make you respond publicly?
I stick with, if I haven&rsquo;t said it, it isn&rsquo;t true. I focus on my work and let the rest navigate itself.
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About Giant, did you meet Prince Naseem?
Yes! I met him at the Red Sea International Film Festival during the premiere. He sat next to me and was very supportive, even letting me wear the WBC belt. It felt amazing to have his approval for portraying his life.
Your training for Giant sounds intense. Any turning point where the character clicked?
We had 12-hour training days, almost every day, cramming six months of prep into a short period. Working with the stunt team and choreographer, and mastering the accent and style, the character finally felt real.
If a film were made about your life, who would you want to portray you and what genre?
Daniel Day-Lewis, and it would be a comedy, imagine him playing me!
Most unexpected award or nomination?
For In Camera, a Manchester-based film by Nakash Khalid. We were just having fun, and I got a 'Best Supporting Actor' nomination. It was a twisty, psychological, and funny film, and the recognition was unexpected.
Upcoming films, 100 Nights of Hero? Can you tell us about your character?
I play Jerome, a king whose friend makes a wager about his wife&rsquo;s loyalty. The film is a historical fantasy romance with comedy injected by director Julia Jackman. She gave me freedom to make the character my own.
About Stories (Al Qasas)?
It&rsquo;s an Egyptian anthology drama exploring family and cultural tales. I joined Nelly Karim and director Abu Bakr Shawky. The film was warmly received at the Red Sea and Carthage Film Festivals. The story felt unique in Egypt, and I was drawn to Abu Bakr&rsquo;s vision.
Switching between films like &ldquo;Giant&rdquo; and &ldquo;Stories,&rdquo; how do you navigate such different worlds?
My approach to characters remains consistent. Professionalism on set is key. Nelly Karim is incredible, and I feel lucky to work with both teams.
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On TV, &ldquo;The Agency&rdquo; Season 2?
I play Saeed, an intelligence officer, alongside Michael Fassbender. It&rsquo;s high-stakes, and viewers will see a new side of me. We shot in the UK and Morocco, coming out 25 January.
If you could live in one of your upcoming films for 24 hours?
Probably Stories, as it reminds me of family chaos and warmth, which I miss in London.
Any genres or dream roles left unconquered?
Fantasy is one. I&rsquo;ve done Marvel and Star Wars, but there&rsquo;s always room for more.
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What do you hope audiences take away from your work?
It&rsquo;s about impact, not me. Films can inspire social change or motivate others to pursue creative careers, as I lacked role models growing up in the UK.
Final teaser?
Watch Giant on 15 January.

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